Taking a vacation is one of those things in life that brings a lot of pressure but also a lot of stress. You’re going to visit family, explore a new country, or attend an exciting event, but first, you must get through a crowded airport, stay in a cramped airplane for hours, and share personal space with strangers at 40,000 feet in the air.
First-time travelers often seem lost, but those who have done it many times before appear to be experts, effortlessly weaving through the obstacles and discomforts of travel. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, having traveled a bit, but still not knowing the essential tips and tricks that set apart the pros.
10 Stress-Reducing “Do’s” for Travel
You can ease your travel in numerous ways, but these flight-related tips will significantly impact your next trip.
1. Get to the Airport Early
You never know what delay or complication could keep you at the security check-in or cause a hassle at the airline check-in counter. These minutes add up, and there’s no worse way to start your journey than by running frantically to your flight’s gate only to find that you missed the boarding cutoff by two minutes.
2. Pack Healthy Snacks in Your Carry-On
Airplanes don’t always have the best selection of snacks, and generally, the meals will be slightly lower than what will keep your hunger in check on a long flight. Bringing your own snacks can also save you money while ensuring you have something to eat that suits your diet and needs.
3. Get a Neck Pillow, Ear Plugs, and a Sleep Mask
Whether you’re flying red-eye or get nervous about flying, these comforts can help you avoid physical and mental stress. The neck pillow reduces neck strain even if you don’t intend to sleep, while the ear plugs and sleep mask can shut out the lights and noise of the plane, allowing you to sleep or meditate on your thoughts.
4. Invest in Extra Legroom for Longer Flights
For shorter flights of no more than a couple of hours, the normal conditions in economy class pose no significant problem. However, if you’re crossing the Pacific or flying halfway around the world, those extended flights can put extra strain on your body. You’ll thank yourself later by splurging on the business class seats or those select few economic options with extra legroom. Register your seats early to get the best options.
5. Bring Various Forms of Entertainment
Bringing your own forms of entertainment, such as puzzles, books, and a laptop, allows you to be productive with time and keep your brain occupied without passively looking at a screen for hours. It is known that boredom produces anxiety, and limiting yourself to one avenue of entertainment can worsen the situation. If you and your neighbor are both amenable to it, try starting a conversation.
There are also several tips that you should remember once you get to your destination. Many things can cause you colossal stress when you’re away from home and have to work with what you’ve just brought with you.
6. Schedule a Day Without Plans
Many people are “planners” and enjoy having a tight schedule of events to make the most of their stay. This is an excellent way to organize things but can prevent spontaneous adventure and discovery. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, schedule a day with no specific activities so that you can use it to relax or immerse yourself in local culture.
7. Call Someone from Home Every Few Days
Even if you’re traveling as a way to get away from daily stressors, it’s still healthy to remain connected. Take advantage of how easy it is to stay in touch using the internet and video chat to connect to a friend or family member to keep them updated and speak with someone familiar.
8. Drink Plenty of Water
This advice is always a good idea, but a shockingly large number of people neglect hydration when traveling compared to when they’re in their natural rhythms.
9. Take Pictures and Keep a Journal
Save the pictures to your phone, organize them in an album for later, and write down your thoughts after each day. It will help you remember the experiences — and often, recording these events will externalize and reduce stress.
10. Get Enough Sleep
Traveling abroad can be exciting, and your sleep schedule may be thrown off between jetlag and various activities. Nevertheless, it’s important to get enough sleep so that you can enjoy your time, avoid illness, and reduce your stress. Bring out those earplugs and sleep masks from the plane to help you take a nap if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before.
7 “Don’ts” to Keep Your Stress Low
It’s one thing to know what you should do and another to know the pitfalls that add to your stress. Keep these “don’ts” in mind to ensure you have as relaxing a stay as possible.
1. Don’t Forget About Jetlag
In your imagination, you might want to immediately hit the nightlife in Trastevere after landing in Rome, but you’ll find yourself a bit wiped after all that transit. Take it easy on your first night and save the partying once you’ve slept well.
2. Don’t Overpack
Especially if you’re staying in a few different spots, extra luggage is little more than deadweight and a hassle.
3. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Most vacations happen without issues, but you don’t want to forget affordable travel insurance just in case.
4. Don’t Assume Things Are Just Like Home
Be prepared that social norms and even customer service may differ wildly from what you’re used to, depending on where you travel.
5. Don’t Just Eat at International Chains
Even though Mcdonald’s and Starbucks have different options in different countries, don’t forget to try the local cuisine, as you’ll have an easier time finding good restaurants.
6. Don’t Book Connecting Flights Without Enough Time in Between
Flight delays are real, so avoid the stress of missing a connecting flight because it was scheduled too soon.
7. Don’t Feel Pressured to Hit the Main Tourist Spots
You might feel social expectations to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but if it’s not your cup of tea, feel free to walk along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées instead.